Country Information

A passport valid for at least 180 days and with at least two blank pages is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas for India are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for India.

A Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme currently exists for the following countries: Cambodia, Finland, Indonesia, Japan , Laos, Luxembourg, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam. The visa is valid for up to 30 days and for tourism only. It costs US$60. From October 2014, this scheme is being extended to nationals of 180 countries, whereby tourists will be able to apply for the visa online and pick it up on arrival at an airport within three days. Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. You should indicate your intent to visit a specific restricted region when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. It is advised that you apply for the special permit for restricted areas when you enter India by visiting the FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office) which has offices in all major Indian airports and cities. You must complete an additional form, but there is no fee for a restricted area permit. Passengers are advised to check with the consulate for up-to-date information before departure. You must fill in application forms completely, and with as much detail as possible, otherwise the application may be rejected and a new application only allowed after three months have passed.

For UK nationals: transit visa: £56; tourist visa: £82 (up to six months), £277 (up to two years); business visa: £107 (six months), £277 (up to two years). For other nationals listed in the chart above: transit visa: £17; tourist visa: £32 (up to six months), £52 (up to one year); business visa: fees vary according to nationality. All visa applications are subject to a non-refundable £10.20 VFS service charge.

Transit: up to 15 days within three months of the date of issue. Tourist/business: three to six months, or one or two years (maximum stay of 180 days per visit). Visas are valid from the date of issue not your date of departure.

Cconsular section at your nearest embassy or high commission. For UK nationals, India has outsourced its visa application services to VF Services (http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk). There are also Indian Visa Application Centres in London, Hayes, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Leicester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. In the USA, India’s visa application services are handled by Travisa Outsourcing (https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com).

All visa applications in the UK now have to be filed online at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. After the mandatory electronic filing of visa applications, applicants are asked to submit printed copies of their applications, photos, passports and fees to respective Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs). Processing times vary at the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its consulates in the UK, and some applications may take longer than others to get processed. You should confirm your travel plans only after obtaining the visa. Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days (not including transit). In addition, if the High Commission or the Consulate General requires an applicant to attend an interview, the India Visa Application Centre will contact the applicant and inform them of the date and time of the interview accordingly.

Visa extensions are not available in India, unless in extreme circumstances (eg medical emergency).

An incoming passenger can import up to two pets at one time. These include all domestic animals such as dogs, birds, cats etc, subject to producing the required health certificate from their country of origin. Pets are still liable for the usual quarantine checks upon arrival.